Killers of forest guards must be crushed, says Oyo lawmaker

A lawmaker representing Iwajowa State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Anthony Ogunsola, has called for a decisive security crackdown following the deadly ambush on the National Park Office at Oloka Village, Orire LG Area.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday, the lawmaker condemned the killing of five Forest Guard officers, describing the act as a “grievous assault on the peace of the state.”

To emphasise his stance on the security breach and the proximity of his constituency to international borders, Ogunsola stated, “This cross-border banditry is an affront to our sovereignty. I am calling on our security agencies to move with full force, track these elements to their dens, and crush them decisively. We will not surrender Iwajowa to criminals.

“I must specifically urge the residents of Iwajowa to be extra watchful of suspicious moves. Our council area is a gateway, sharing a boundary with the Ayegun/Wasinmi border community that links Nigeria with the Republic of Benin. We cannot afford to lower our guard; every strange face or movement must be reported immediately.”

Regarding the loss of the officers and the community’s role in the investigation, he added, “My heart bleeds for the families of these five fallen heroes who died protecting our natural heritage. Security is a shared responsibility; I urge our people to provide the intelligence needed to smoke out these perpetrators.

“We must not allow fear to prevail. I stand fully behind the Governor and our security forces in every lawful measure taken to restore absolute calm and ensure this never happens again.”

Ogunsola concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the legislative arm to supporting policies that strengthen the state’s security architecture and enhance inter-agency collaboration to confront criminal elements.

The Old Oyo National Park, where Oloka Village is situated, covers a massive expanse of land (about 2,512 sq km) that stretches across several local governments, including Iwajowa.

Iwajowa is strategically located along the western border of Nigeria.

The mention of Ayegun/Wasinmi is critical because it is a known international transit point between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

It has been reported that the porous nature of this border allows “cross-border bandits” to strike in Nigeria and retreat into the thick forests or across the international frontier, making traditional policing difficult.